Accra

Culture & History

Join a guided city tour of Accra, the capital of Ghana. First stop is Black Star Square, where you will learn about Ghana's fight for independence. Also known as Independence Square, this square boasts three monuments, and is the primary site for the nation's public gatherings, national festivals, and Independence Day parades.  Next, head to the vibrant township of Osu for a visit to the Osu Castle. Also known as the Christiansborg Castle, this 17th-century castle was converted into a Presidential Museum in 2017. Occupied by the Portuguese through the 17th-century, this ocean-front castle is now one of Ghana's most important heritage sites.  Continue to Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, a remarkable mausoleum dedicated to Ghana's first president. From here, visit the colonial-era James Town Light House and then venture to the bustling Makola Market. Being Accra's oldest commercial hub, Makola offers a wide range of products, from car parts to land snails. After exploring Makola, you'll visit a nearby restaurant to have a typical local lunch. You will then be transferred back to your hotel.

Meet your guide at Tamale Airport and your driver will drive you through Tamale, the capital city of the Northern Region. Afterward, enjoy a scenic drive to the Savannah region where you will discover the vibrant culture of Ghana's largest region. Stop at Larabanga and visit the oldest mosque in West Africa, built in 1421. Admire the building, constructed in the Sudanese architectural style, and the restoration work that has been done on it several times since it was originally built. Depart the mosque to visit the sacred Mystic Stone, which is known to return to its original place of rest after several attempts at moving it to a different location. In the 1950s, some British road constructors were compelled to redirect a major road after 3 attempts to remove the stone. Discover this legendary rock which has been conserved as a tourist site by the locals to preserve its history and generate revenue for their communities. Start your second day with breakfast and a visit to Mole National Park, Ghana's largest wildlife refuge. Go along the Lovi and Mole Rivers as they flow through the park, leaving behind only drinking holes during the long dry season. Have the chance to spot some elephants, baboons, leopards, antelopes, and other animals. Have a final stop at Mognori Eco Village, where you will embark on a guided walk and a canoe safari. Witness the unique dance steps and music of the locals before you depart Tamale and go back to Accra.

Following collection from your Accra or Tema accommodation, your day begins with a Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm. Be transferred cross country in an air-conditioned 4x4, served with water and snacks and with a friendly, experienced, and helpful guide. Once at the cocoa farm, learn how Tetteh Quarshie was a pre-independence Ghanaian agriculturalist who was directly responsible for the introduction of cocoa crops to Ghana. Cocoa crops today constitute one of the major export crops of the Ghanaian economy. In 1879, Tetteh Quarshie planted the seeds at Mampong with some success. Following the Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm, depart to the Aburi Botanical Garden. From there, visit the Aburi Crafts Village. The crafts village is a decent size with many shops to check out, and contains plenty of local woodwork and artisans crafting as you shop. There are many types of arts/crafts there, including clothing, jewellery, key chains, bottle openers, baskets, and furniture. At the conclusion of your experience, your driver returns you back to your accommodation in Accra/Tema.

Take a day trip to Ghana's Central Region, about 147km from Accra, an area known for its role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Accompanied by a local guide, learn about the slave castles built on the Gold Coast of West Africa by European traders.  The day begins early, with pickup from your accommodation in Accra. Travel in an air-conditioned 4x4 to the Cape Coast, enjoying some snacks on the way. The first stop of the day is the Cape Coast Castle, one of about 40 slave castles or large commercial forts built on the Gold Coast of West Africa by European traders.  Originally built as a Portuguese feitoria (trading post) in 1555, it was later used as part of the trans-Atlantic slave trade as a place slaves were held before being loaded onto ships bound for the Americas.  Next, visit Elmina Castle, erected by the Portuguese in 1482. The first trading post built on the Gulf of Guinea, Elmina Castle is the oldest European building in existence south of the Sahara. The last stop on the tour is Fort St Jago, also known as Fort Coenraadsburg or Fort São Tiago da Mina, a small Portuguese chapel built in honor of Saint Jago. Situated opposite the Elmina Castle, it was used to protect the castle and is one of the oldest military constructions on the Gold Coast.  After exploring the Fort, return to Accra for hotel drop-off.